Evolving Software

A yeast starter is used to initiate cell activity or increase the cell count before using it to make your beer. The yeast will grow in this smaller volume, usually for 1-2 days, which then can be added to 5 gallons of wort.

Time Required: 30 minutes

Items Required

Water

Ice

Small sauce pot

funnel

1000 mL Erlenmeyer flask (pyrex)

Aluminum foil

Dry Maly Extract (DME)

Stir Plate / Stir Bar

Scissors

Thermometer

Star San

Yeast

Yeast Nutrient

Making A Starter

If using liquid yeast as a source, activate the inner yeast pouch and allow to incubate

Bring 650mL of water to a boil

Remove water from heat

Add 1/2 cup of DME, stir to mix, keep off heat to prevent scorching

Return mixture to heat and gently boil for 15 minutes

Sanitize the flask, scissors, thermometer, funnel, and stir bar

When the mixture has finished boiling, use the funnel to transfer it to the flask

Prepare an ice bath and place the flask into the bath, reduce the temperature of the mixture to 85 degrees (Fahrenheit)

Add the stir bar, yeast, and 1/4 tsp of nutrient to the mixture and cover the mouth of the flask with the aluminum foil

Place on the stir plate and allow to stir for 24 hours

To pitch the starter into a batch of beer remember to swirl the flask to pick up all the sediment, also use a magnet to hold the stir bar at the bottom of the flask to prevent it from falling into the fermentor.